Not only are time management games fun and interesting to play but there is an added benefit that many may not realize until they’ve spent some time playing them and applied some of the techniques they developed in game play to real life situations.
Online time management games come in a variety of forms and if you do a web search you’ll see that these time management games are only limited by the developer’s imagination in the creation of the games. In one time management game you might be operating your own shop or restaurant, running the family wine making business or building a real estate empire. What makes all of these games similar is that you are only given a certain amount of time in order to complete the various tasks and finish games.
There is a vast variety of time management games available as well as different levels of difficulty. Many of these games are free of cost and available for instant download but the more interesting ones you’ll most likely have to pay for.
In order to get the most out of playing these time management games there are 8 things that you might want to consider before getting started in order to develop your time management skills along the way. I don’t want this to read too much like a 12 step program but you might see some similarities in this.
1. Understand that you have a challenge in front of you.
As with any situation, and that does not exclude time management, you must admit to yourself first that you need work in this area. If you never seem to be able to finish an assignment on time or always wait until the last minute to get started, could be good indications that that you need work in this area.
2. Make the commitment to change.
Once you are aware change is needed and you realize that the time management techniques that you are currently employing is not working, you realize that you have no other choice other than to take some form of action to make this change stick.
3. Stay the course.
Consistency is the key to being successful in almost everything we do and this is certainly true when it come to improving our time management skills. However it’s best to avoid being driven into overwhelm; in other words, baby-steps at first.
4. Make a daily task list.
The least favorable and largest task on you list should be accomplished first. Just to get that one item checked off your list will give you a great sense of accomplishment and relief. Update your list of tasks daily in order to get things done on time, avoiding another wasted day and the regret that goes along with it.
5. Take advantage of the time management tools that are available to you.
If you were able to take a look at how high-level executives and others in equally important time-sensitive positions manage their time you would see that most take full advantage of tools that are available to them for this purpose. It used to be, we only had an alarm clock and a diary to manage our time but now in the information age there are so many things available to most of us, like cell phones that can keep track of everything for us, not to mention computer programs that remind us of important events and deadlines and schedules.
6. Just say no to non-productivity.
If there is something important that you must accomplish and the phone rings and you spend a couple of hours chatting about nothing related to what you need to accomplish, a polite to say no would be; “sorry, I’m really busy right now” would have prevented that wasted time which might put you two hours behind schedule.
7. Prevention through organizing
Keeping things filed and put in their proper place will be a great time saver when you don’t have to look for a lost file or document later. It will take you a lot less time to put them in their right place the first time than having to go back and look for them later. Also, once items are in there place don’t move them unless it is absolutely necessary.
8. Consult with the pros
Mentoring and coaching is big business these days and for a good reason; they are very helpful. If you ask most successful people these days they will probably tell you that they were coached or mentored at some point in there life. This type of professional help can be very affordable but more importantly effective. It maybe to your benefit to have someone there looking over your shoulder or perhaps giving you a push when you need it.
You old habits might be hard to break; you might just want to start off by playing one of the many time management games available online.